Obviously Stands Tall in Del Mar Mile

Fanticola and Scardino’s Obviously, one of America’s outstanding campaigners at a mile  on the grass, reaffirmed his quality Sunday  with a hard-earned victory in the $200,000 Del Mar Mile, a supporting feature on the day of the Grade I $1 million TVG Pacific Classic.

Despite breaking a trifle slowly under jockey Joe Talamo, Obviously, packing highweight of 125 pounds, took command on the clubhouse turn to set the pace, was challenged entering and through the stretch by his rivals but enough left in reserve to gamely hold off He Be Fire N Ice in the final sixteenth, winning by a half-length.

It was the winner’s second straight success in the Del Mar Mile, having won a year ago in course record time of 1:32.10. His time Sunday was comparable, 1:32.64, as he scored his ninth victory in 16 starts. First money of $120,000 increased his earnings to almost one million, $968,361.

He Be Fire N Ice, winner of the California Dreamin Handicap a month ago, rallied from last place under Victor Espinoza to be second,  a neck in front of Silentio, with El Commodore fourth in the field of five. Tigah was last. The runner-up was receiving eight pounds from the winner.

Obviously, an Irish-bred five-year-old gelded son of Choisir trained by Mike Mitchell, is pointed for a second straight attempt in the Breeders’ Cup Mile, a race in which he finished third to eventual Horse of the Year Wise Dan last year at Santa Anita.